Purpose of topic:

Policies and definitions of ecotourism address, basically, three aspects: environmental conservation, environmental awareness of visitors, and involvement of local communities. From that approach, the objective of this study is to analyze the results of public policies for public use development in protected areas.

Methodology and approach:

Through case study methodology we analyzed two protected areas, Alto Ribeira Tourist State Park (PETAR), located in the State of Sao Paulo, in Brazil, and Strathcona Provincial Park, situated in the province of British Columbia, Canada. The multiple case study was based on two sources of evidence, the identified public policies documents, and interviews with the various stakeholders: government, local community, and visitors. The analysis of documents and interviews was performed through content analysis. The public policies were discussed within the conceptual and legal frameworks for protected areas and public use in both countries. Among the key findings, we observe that public policies focus on more permissive activities, as in the Canadian case, or on its restriction, like in Brazil, is not the most significant aspect for the conservation of the environment.

Originality of the document:

The outsourcing policy, already adopted by British Columbia and beginning to be implemented in São Paulo, has impacted more directly the three analyzed aspects.

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